February is often thought of as either the shortest month or the month of love thanks to Valentine’s Day, but did you know that it’s also Children’s Dental Health Month? This time of the year, dental professionals and parents alike take a little more time to learn and discuss all of the best ways to take care of their littlest smiles. Your children’s dentist in El Reno, Dr. Adam Cohlmia, is actually a parent himself, so he understands the importance of children’s dentistry more than most! Today, he’s going to discuss why it’s so important for your child to go to the dentist starting at an early age, and he’s also going to share some tips that will safeguard their oral health well into adulthood.
The Importance of Children’s Dentistry
As you can imagine, young children have very different dental needs compared to adults and teens, and making sure those particular needs are looked after is very important to keeping their teeth healthy year after year. For one, the enamel on children’s teeth isn’t fully hardened, which makes them particularly susceptible to developing cavities. Combine this with a love of sweet treats and an unfamiliarity with brushing, and you have a recipe for potential disaster!
Fortunately, by taking your child to see their family dentist, you can make sure their smile is well protected as well as have some help in making them develop healthy habits at home. With the right dentist, you can give your child’s smile a strong start and put them on track to enjoy a lifetime of healthy, problem-free teeth.
Why Children Should Visit the Dentist Regularly
Children should see their dentist on a regular basis largely for the same reasons as everyone else: it gives their dentist a chance to examine their teeth and for them to receive a cleaning. A cleaning, of course, will remove all of the plaque and tartar on their teeth that can eventually lead to cavities, but the exams are just as important.
With twice yearly oral exams, your child’s dentist will be able to catch cavities during their earliest stages so they can treat them quickly. They’ll also have the chance to make sure your child’s smile is developing correctly. Are their teeth coming in straight? Is their jaw the right size? Spotting and intervening with either of these issues at an early age is way easier than waiting until a child is older. This could save them from needing more extensive (and expensive!) treatments in the future.
At-Home Tips For Parents
One of the most common questions parents ask us is, “How can I get my child to start brushing regularly at home?” While there is no magic trick, there are a few things you can do to make developing this routine a little easier:
- Let your child pick out their own toothbrush and toothpaste. This will add an element of fun, and you’ll likely be able to find products with their favorite characters on them.
- Play a little song for the two minutes they should be brushing. There are plenty of apps on your phone that are designed solely for this purpose.
- Brush with your child. When they’re young, they often just want to copy you, so by making brushing and flossing a family activity, it will likely make it easier for them to start brushing on their own eventually.
Once you have them brushing, just make sure they are doing it at least twice a day for two minutes each, and don’t forget to floss as well (even adults have a little trouble with that one!).
Come See Us!
We just love to take care of El Reno’s littlest smiles. Nothing makes us happier than to see a child’s beautiful smile grow and change as they do. Eventually, we hope to take care of their children as well! So this month, take a little extra time to talk to your child about their oral health, and if either of you have any questions, the team at El Reno Family Dentistry will be eager to answer them. Happy brushing, and we can’t wait to see both of you at your next appointment!